The patient is thrilled that she was able to treat her trigger finger without missing any days of work, and without surgery and the recovery process therein.

I would like to share my experience successfully treating trigger finger with acupuncture. I had a patient come to me with trigger finger after having an orthopedic tell her the only recommended treatment for her was surgery. Today, after a complete round of acupuncture treatments, she has full use of her fingers, did not miss a day of work, and did not have to endure the six weeks or more of post-op pain, medications, therapy, and recovery. I’ll give a brief case study below, but first I want to present some facts that we know about trigger finger. Trigger Finger is a condition otherwise known as stenosing tenosynovitis, and is characterized by one or more fingers that get locked in the flexed or open position. In order for the affected finger to move, it must be manually forced which can produce a snapping sound as well as a sharp pain. Like Carpal Tunnel, Trigger Finger is a Repetitive Strain Injury. TF is caused by inflammation of the tendons of the fingers’ flexor muscles, or the muscles that bend the fingers into a fist. A tendon can become injured and inflamed with prolonged grasping work which in turn injure, inflame and narrow the surrounding sheath. In serious cases an adhesion or a palpable nodule can develop in the joint area where the finger meets the palm which prevents the tendon from gliding easily through the sheath to facilitate proper movement, and the result is the sticking, popping and pain of TF. Occupations generally seen with TF are dental hygienists, farmers, machine operators, musicians, and sewers to name a few. People with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis are also prone to TF. Treatment for trigger finger, depending on the stage and severity, can be ibuprofen, splints and immobility, steroid injections or surgery. This is of course how trigger finger is explained and treated within the western medical model. From a Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) standpoint, trigger finger is usually caused by Qi, Blood and cold damp stagnation. I look at pain in this way and determine what underlying pattern has caused the Qi and Blood to stagnate. Most often this involves looking at the body holistically, asking a lot of questions, performing a differential diagnosis using TCM theory, identifying potential deficiencies or excesses that could injure the Qi and Blood in this way and then treating this pattern in addition to the local stagnation. This is how I approached my patient with trigger finger. My patient is a 55 year old woman who works as a dental hygienist. When she first came to see me in 2013, she had had trigger finger in her right ring finger for six months and her left thumb for two months. She reported that neither finger would bend without pain and sticking, and that if the fingers did bend she had to manually straighten them and the pain doing so was intense. At the affected joints there were palpable nodules which were painful to the touch. Other symptoms included some digestive issues, food sensitivities, and poor sleep. In addition to Qi and blood stagnation I diagnosed her with Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness. I recommended that she come for acupuncture treatments once a week for eight weeks to heal her fingers. I added electrical stimulation to the needles in the affected areas of the fingers. This ensured constant stimulation of the points during the treatment. I also recommended self massage and stretching between her dental patients as she worked. When the patient came for her second treatment, she reported that her right ring finger was bending and straightening. Although the finger was catching 2-3 times during straightening, she reported that she did not need to help it straighten with her other hand. Her left thumb was still not bending although she reported that it was less sensitive to the touch. She also reports that she is getting better about incorporating massaging and stretching her hands into her routine between patients. Acupuncture treatment on the hands was the same, including electrical stimulation. After five treatments placing needles around the affected areas and using electrical stimulation, the middle finger was much improved. The patient was able to open and close her right middle finger smoothly and would only feel a catch upon opening if she made a tight fist. The left thumb however was still not bending, although less painful to the touch. After the fifth treatment, the patient did not return for a year and two months. The patient called me again. She reported happily that after her last appointment with me (she explained that there were some consecutive family crises that prevented her from completing her treatments) she continued massaging and stretching her hands between her dental patients and one month after she stopped coming to me her left thumb started bending and that today both the thumb and the right middle finger were bending and opening smoothly! This was great news but for the fact that despite her stretching and massaging, about 6 months before her right thumb had became afflicted with trigger finger. The right thumb was now achy, sensitive to the touch and would not bend or straighten without help and pain. So acupuncture treatment resumed with the right thumb. Again, I recommended once a week for eight weeks. She said that this time she would happily comply with the regimen. Needles with electrical stimulation were again placed around the affected area, and also in other areas of the body to treat the underlying pattern. By the fourth treatment, her right thumb was moving with some pain, soreness and morning stiffness. By the seventh treatment, she reports that her right thumb is opening and closing freely with no pain and no morning stiffness! She has experienced a complete recovery from trigger finger in her right thumb, and her left middle finger and thumb are also still functioning with no trouble. In order to maintain the health of her hands and prevent relapse, she makes a special effort to stretch her hands and fingers between her dental patients to the point that she has placed hand written notes around her work area reminding herself to do so. The patient is thrilled that she was able to treat her trigger finger without missing any days of work, and without surgery and the recovery process therein.

I tried this route last year and it didn't work for me at all. He would place the needles around the joint but I never felt much relief. I've read that some people suffer from tension in the forearm muscles which causes the trigger finger.

Reply

Marian Kimball Eichinger, LAc

11/24/2015 08:44:13 am

Hi Nick, I am sorry that your acupuncture treatments were not effective. Without knowing your health history it is difficult to pinpoint why this was the case, If you would like to discuss it further, please contact me at Wellness Minneapolis.

Reply

Patricia Steiding

2/15/2016 10:51:11 am

Last year I got severe trigger finger in my left ring finger. I thought I was going to die! Doctor took x-rays to make sure there was no arthritis, etc. then said the good news was no arthritis bad news was it was trigger finger (which I had already suspected since every time I opened & closed my hand the finger would snap). She said that western medicine tells her to tell me to get a cortizone shot but if I was up to it she suggested acupuncture. I located the Chinese doctor / acupuncturist and after 10 treatments and 1 week of an herbal medicine I was cured. Sadly, I woke up this morning and the little finger on my right hand now has it. Ugh! I guess working on a computer keyboard will do that (already had carpel tunnel from that).

Reply

Marian Eichinger

2/19/2016 09:03:36 am

Oh no! Thanks for your note, Patricia. I'm so happy that acupuncture helped for your initial trigger finger. I would recommend seeking out your acupuncturist for additional treatments for your little finger. You may have an underlying condition that is causing the trigger finger to recur. Your acupuncturist will be able to tackle that as well, Best of luck to you!

Reply

Sunipa Sekhar

4/17/2016 04:03:52 am

Hi i am right now suffering from trigger finger in my right hand thumb and the ring finger. I am a diabetic , i am right now going through acupuncture treatment . i going everyday for last 6 days , but thumb is still bad with very little effect. Please suggest what to do

Reply

Lauren

6/25/2016 02:07:04 am

I am in the same situation as you. acupunture treatment works. but it takes time. only one or two treatments a week. message the trouble finger with some chinese ointment or muscle ointment every night. slowly your finger should get better. it will not recover in a week but months. your finger will get back to the original form after the treatments.

Reply

Lolita Mayadas

8/31/2016 06:27:41 am

I live in Englewood, New Jersey and I have had trigger thumb for about six weeks.I was given a steroid injection by an orthopedist but it made it worse and small nodules developed. I was also asked to wear a flexible cast which I remove at night. Fortunately, the nodules have nearly disappeared but my thumb still clicks when I straighten it. I would like to try traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture but I don't know how to find a qualified practitioner in my area. Would you be able to refer me to someone in Northern New Jersey. I would be grateful for a referral. My zip code is 07631. Thank you.

Reply

Brittany (Wellness Minneapolis Office Manager)

8/31/2016 12:56:03 pm

Hi Lolita- We don’t have specific recommendations for acupuncturists in your area, but would recommend checking out the New Jersey Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine’s website http://www.njaaom.net/ . They provide a directory that should be helpful in finding a licensed acupuncturist. Each state should have their own association so you can find a practitioner wherever you are! Good luck with your search and treatments, we wish you the best!

Reply

Lolita Mayadas

10/25/2016 09:09:19 am

Hi Brittany,
Thank you for your very helpful information.I was able to locate a physical therapist who is also an acupuncturist in my neighborhood. He suggested treatment with electrical stimulation, ultrasound and deep massage all the way up the arm. After about 6 sessions my thumb was much better and now it is back to normal. To avoid recurrence, I have to be careful I don't subject my hands and fingers to repetitive actions without stretching and flexing. Thank you.

Thank you for the note. I am unclear on whether you are a potential patient or a practitioner. If you are someone looking for acupuncture for trigger finger, your practitioner will decide which points to use depending on your pattern and area of discomfort. If you are a practitioner, I would communicate with you more in depth on some techniques that help with trigger finger. You may contact my through my email above. Thank you!

Reply

Lucio Garay

6/18/2017 07:36:28 pm

Hello. I was trying to get acupuncturist Marian's email to ask her a couple of questions about her TF study she posted.

Thank you.

I am a practicioner.

Lucio Garay

Kris Petersen

10/25/2016 08:00:39 am

I am a practioner of tcm, and I saw your great results of trigger finger and I am interested in your local points used and etim hz used. Thanks.

Reply

Jackie

12/15/2016 07:05:25 am

I have quite an issue with trigger finger. Surgery on both thumbs within the last 4 years and surgery schedule in January for middle finger; unable to bend or straighten. I now have a bump developing about a half inch below where the middle finger and palm meets on my right hand. No issues with it sticking and I can bend it fine but this is how my thumbs started. Wondering if acupuncture could help before it starts locking up? I would really like to avoid a 4th surgery.

Reply

Marian Eichinger, LAc

12/16/2016 10:44:56 am

Hi Jackie - Absolutely! I would definitely recommend starting acupuncture now on that right middle finger, and hopefully you will be able to avoid surgery.

I have two trigger fingers due to playing golf and pickleball. Would I have to stop these activities while having accupuncture treatments?

Reply

Jesse

12/20/2016 08:14:23 am

Nancy,

Whether you are able to continue with your regular activities really depends on to what extent they aggravate your injuries. That said, it's in everyone's best interest to maintain physical activity. Your acupuncturist will be able to help you create a whole wellness plan when you come for your first visit.

Hey, Marian!
Awesome write up! Add acupuncturist to the list of affected professions. :) I just googled acupuncture for TF and yours was the first hit. Thank you for the excellent information.

Would you potentially be interested in sharing this as a featured case study on CatsTCMNotes?

Cat Calhoun, L.Ac

Reply

Marian

2/12/2017 11:31:40 am

Wow! Thanks for the information! Best of luck to you, Marian

Reply

Aarush

1/3/2018 10:13:11 pm

Hi Marian
i live in nepal , bhaktapur n i had trigger thumb on right & in ring finger of left for about 1 yrs. Dr. firstly gave medicine n told if it doesnt work u should inject steroid injection then should do surgery but iam a student n good designer so i have no time to do that . Does accupunture work for it ! I dont even know how to find a qualified practitioner in my area as i live in village.. would you plze help me or give a good advice

Reply

Mallory Harman

11/13/2018 06:37:10 am

this is a long shot but I am an acupuncture practitioner currently working in Tistung, Makwanapur, Nepal. We have an acupuncture clinic both here in Tistung and also in Bajrabarahi. I am seeing a patient right now with trigger finger. We have yet to see results because we just started. If you would like to come check out our clinic, it is called Acupuncture Relief Project. Best of luck!

Reply

Woody

5/7/2018 08:10:58 am

I Have trigger finger in my right Index finger and my left ring finger. I am trying physical therapy following steroid injections which didn't work. PT not working and inflammation is always present. Surgery is looking like the only option but I want to try Acupuncture to possibly avoid the surgical option.. Can you recommend a qualified practitioner in the Washington DC area? Thank you!

Reply

Marian

5/9/2018 01:05:58 pm

Hi Woody,

Here are a couple of Acupuncture contacts in the DC area that treat trigger finger:

Yaron Cohen in Kensington just outside of DC in MD is happy to help.
www.wise-wellness.com